Consumer confidence fell for the second straight month in March, as high gas prices correlated with discouraging consumer views about the direction of the U.S. economy, according to the Discover U.S. Spending Monitor.

The Monitor, a monthly poll of 8,200 consumers tracking economic confidence and spending intentions on a daily basis, fell 2.6 points to 89.5, falling below 90 for the first time since December 2010. Fifty-three percent of consumers still rate the economy as poor, practically unchanged from February. Thirty-five percent of consumers rate the economy as fair, while just 10 percent rate the economy as good or excellent.

But 51% of Americans feel economic conditions are getting worse, a 7-point jump from February and the highest number the Monitor has reported since September 2010. Twenty percent of respondents feel conditions are the same, while 25% of the population feels the economy is improving.

March also showed a decline in consumers’ attitudes about their personal finances. Thirty-two percent rate their finances as good or excellent, down 3 points from February. Forty-two percent of consumers rate their finances as fair, and 24% say their finances are poor. When asked if their finances were getting better or worse, 48% said their finances are worsening, up 3 points from February. Twenty-seven percent of consumers feel their finances are unchanging, and 22% say their finances are improving.

The Monitor is reporting that consumers are once again showing signs of offsetting high prices at the pump with cuts in discretionary spending. Overall, 33% of consumers expect to spend more in the month ahead, an 8-point rise from February. As well, for the first time since July 2008, a majority of consumers, 55%, are planning to spend more on gas, groceries and their mortgages. This number jumped 14 points from February.

To review the Discover U.S. Spending Monitor survey data, charts and information click here.